Diglycidyloxyalkyl compounds

ABSTRACT

New diglycidyl ether compounds are manufactured by glycidylating the dihydroxy compounds obtained by addition of alkylene oxide to benzimidazolone, tetrahydrobenzimidazolone or hexahydrobenzimidazolone. The new diglycidyl ethers can be cured with epoxide resin curing agents to give products with good mechanical and dielectric properites.

United States Patent 1191 Porret et al.

' [45] Nov. 18, 1975 DIGLYCIDYLOXYALKYL COMPOUNDS Inventors: Daniel Porret, Binningen; Friedrich Stockinger, Therwil, both of Switzerland Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Ardsley, N.Y.

Filed: Jan. 7, 1974 Appl. No.: 431,241

Assignee:

Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 8, 1973 Switzerland 174/73 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1974 Porret 260/3092 :OTHER PUBLICATIONS C.A. 71 49,940 m (1969) Porret. 1

0 76 1 86.571 r 1972 Porret et al.

Primary Examiner-Sherman D. Winters Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Vincent J. Cavalieri 57 ABSTRACT New diglycidyl ether compounds are manufactured by glycidylating the dihydroxy -compounds obtained by addition of alkylene oxide to benzimidazolone, tetrahydrobenzimidazolone or hexahydrobenzimidazolone.

The new diglycidyl ethers can be cured with epoxide' resin curing agents to give products with good mechanical and dielectric properites.

9 Clairns, No Drawings 'mGLYcmYLoxYALKYi;.coMPouNns The present invention relates to new, valu able diglycidyl ethers of oxalkylated benzimidazoles for bgn- '5 meanin as in the formula I in'a known manner in the zimidazolidones which, when mixed with curing agents g V presence of a catalyst, and subsequently dehyfor epoxide resins, such as amines or carboxylic ac d r r anhydrides can be used as casting resins resins for dmhalogenatmg the halpggnolpiydlim compound m.the electrical applications, sintering powders, compression P n of agents h Sph't Off hydrogen i such as strong alkahs, for example anhydrous sodium moulding compositions, B-stage resins or lacquer resh d r Gus Sodi. m h droxide Solution to ins, and to a process for the manufacture of the new dio zique u g y y ethers. a 7 give the dlglycidyl ether.

The g' y y ethers according to the invention CCJF Preferably, this process starts from compounds of the respond to general formula I formula [I wherein X denotes an unsubstituted radical i Y c CH,----CHCH, O(CH it! N CH(C t- Y 2 \O/ IL; I m L, 1112 m v o i (I) I wherein X denotes a divalent radical of the formulae of the formulae or a H ,7 v I OI v.

' R and R each denote a hydrogen atom and R and R inde endentl ofone another each denote a h drowhich is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen atoms i or the riethyl or phenyl group or R1 and 6 1 1 and n is 0 and m is l or n is 1 and m denotes a number note a hydrogen atom or the methyl group, R and R from 1 to 4 especially 1 Independently of l l each] denote f; z a The addition of the epihalogenohydrin to the comatom or the meth eth or hen rou o R an or R I and R2 together reprise": tie tr?meth;lene o: 40 pounds of the formula II can be carried out in the presh l d 0 d 1 l d ence of either acid or alkaline catalysts. If appropriate, fi z y g f "1 t :3 m an it can also be carried out without catalysts. Suitable m es a num er mm o catalysts for the addition of epichlorohydrin are above f l i h f agtaches to z g'l t d l t all tertiary amines such as triethylamine, tri-n-propylaa w erem enotes an unsu s l u 6 en mine, benzyldimethylamine, N,N'-di-methylaniline and meal of the formulae triethanolamine; quaternary ammonium bases, such as benzyltrimethylammonium hydroxide; quaternary ammonium salts such as tetramethylammonium chloride, tetraethylammonium chloride, benzyltrimethylammonium chloride, benzyltrimethylammonium acetate or and methyltriethylammonium chloride; hydrazines with a tertiary nitrogen atom, such as l,l-di-methylhy- I 7 v I d razine, which can also be employed in the quaternised B1 and :1 elachfdenote sy fi d 3 R2 form; alkali metal-halides, such as lithium chloride, pomdepen em y 0 one anot 3 enote y roger: tassium chloride and sodium chloride, bromide or fluo- L R g i'l or PhenYlErFUP or R1 and "B 0 ride; and also ion exchange resins with tertiary or quaan e tetramgt y ene g n 1 ternary amino groups, as'well as ion exchangers with and mfis lbcl r :1 IS 1 and m enotes a num er rom, to acid amide groups. I :12 Zf l d -l h f ,h ,f r l As agents which split off hydrogen halide it is possig'd 2 o -I f 0mm f g P' ble'to use not only sodium hydroxide solution or anhyfactured by mg h s O. 1 p drous sodium hydroxide but also other strongly alkaline p f r ly eplchloro y Onto 0 a qmn reagents, such as potassium hydroxide, barium hydroxof the n ide, calcium hydroxide, sodium carbonate or potassium i carbonate. H H H The addition of theepihalogenohydrin to the comi I I I pounds of the formula 'llcan'be'effected with or with- 2 g r l z out solvents, with-an excess of epichlorohydrin, at temperatures up to C, under theaction of one of the catalysts mentioned, in 3 0 to 360 minutes. The subse-' vent. As a rule, they are obtained as crude crystalline products in yields of up to 100%.

The compounds of the formula [I are obtained in a known manner by addition reaction of 1 mol of a compound of the formula III wherein X has the same meaning as in the formula land 2 mols of formaldehyde or 1 to 60 mols of alkylene oxide of the formulae wherein R R R and R have the same meaning as in the formula I, in the presence of a suitable catalyst.

The compounds of the formula III used for the manufacture of the 1,3-bis-(hydroxyalkyl) compounds of the formula II are benzimidazolone, tetrahydrobenzimidazolone and hexahydrobenzimidazolidone.

Compounds which correspond to the formula IV are ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, styrene oxide, cyclopentene oxide andcyclohexene oxide.

The addition of the formaldehyde to the two NH groups of the compounds of the formula I can be effected in the presence of acid, alkaline or neutral catalysts and also without catalysts, using a slight molar excess of formaldehyde per equivalent of NH group of the compounds of the formula II. The addition reaction is preferably carried out in a weakly alkaline or weakly acid reaction medium; it commences even at room temperature, and the reaction temperature can be raised up to 100C.

The addition of an alkylene oxide of the formula [V to compounds of the formula [II can be carried out in the presence of alkaline or neutral catalysts. This addition reaction also takes place without catalysts. The reaction temperature in this addition reaction is as a rule between 50 and 180C. Both addition reactions can also be carried out under pressure, that is to say in an autoclave. Preferably, the addition reaction is carried out in an organic solvent, such as dimethylformamide, toluene, dioxane or halogenated hydrocarbons.

Preferably, however, alkaline catalysts, such as tetraethylammonium chloride or tertiary amines, are used in the manufacture of the 1,3-bis-(hydroxyalkyl) compounds of the formula [I in which m is 1. However, alkali metal halides, such as lithium chloride or sodium chloride, can also be used successfully for this addition reaction; reaction also takes place without catalysts.

When manufacturing compounds of the formula II in which m is greater than 1, it is preferred to start from the simple hydroxyalkyl compounds of the formula [I inv 4 which m is l and to add further alkylene oxide to the two OH groups of this compound in the presence of acid catalysts.

Suitable acid catalysts for the addition reaction are particularly Lewis acids such as, for example, AlCl SbCl SnCl FeCl ZnCl BE, and their complexes with organic compounds.

Alkaline and neutral catalysts used are the same as in the epihalogenohydrin addition reaction.

The l,3-bis-hydroxyalkylsubstituted hexahydrobenzimidazolidones of the formula II can also be obtained from the correspondingly substituted benzimidazolone or tetrahydrobenzimidazolone derivatives by catalytic hydrogenation, and this hydrogenation can be carried out in a known manner, either without applied pressure or under pressure.

The diglycidyl compounds of the formula I, according to the invention, react with the customary curing agents for epoxide compounds. They can therefore be crosslinked or cured by addition of such curing agents, analogously to other polyfunctional epoxide compounds. As such curing agents, basic or acid compounds can be employed.

As suitable curing agents there may, for example, be mentioned: amines or amides, such as aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic, primary, secondary and tertiary amines, for example monoethanolamine, ethylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine, trimethylhexamethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, N,N-dimethylpropylenediamine-l ,3, N,N-diethylpropylenediaminel,3, 2,2-bis(4-aminocyclohexyl)-propane, 3,5,5- trimethyl-3-(aminomethyl)-cyclohexylamine (isophoronediamine), Mannich bases, such as 2,4,6- tris(dimethylaminomethyl)-phenol; M-phenylenediamine, p-phenylenediamine, bis (4-aminophenyl)methane, bis(4-aminophenyl)sulphone and mxylylenediamine; adducts of acrylonitrile or monoepoxides, such as ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, to polyalkylenepolyamines, such as diethylenetriamine or triethylenetetramine; adducts of polyamines, such as diethylenetriamine or triethylenetetramine in excess, and polyepoxides, such as diomethane-polyglycidylethers; ketimines, for example from acetone or methyl ethy ketone and bis(p-amino-phenyl)-methane; adducts of monophenols or polyphenols and polyamines; polyamides, especially those from aliphatic polyamines, such as diethylenetriamine or triethylenetetramine, and dimerised or trimerised unsaturated fatty acids, such as dimerised linseed oil fatty acid (VERSA- MID); polymeric polysulphides (THIOKOL); dicyandiamide, aniline-formaldehyde resins; polyhydric phenols, for example resorcinol, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane or phenol-formaldehyde resins; boron trifluoride and its complexes with organic compounds, such as BF -ether complexes and BF -amine complexes, for example BF -monoethylamine complex; acetoacetanilide-BF complex; phosphoric acid; triphenyl-phosphite; polybasic carboxylic acids'and their anhydrides, for example phthalic anhydride, A-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, 4-methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride, 3,6- endomethylene-A-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, 4- methyl-3,6-endomethylene-A-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride methylnadic anhydride), 3,4,5,6,7,7-hexachloro-3,6-endomethylene-N-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, succinic anhydride, adipic anhydride, trimethyladipic anhydride, azelaic anhydride, sebacic anhydride, maleic anhydride, dodecenyl-succinic anhydride; pyromellitic dianhydride or mixtures of such anhydrides.

Curing accelerators can furthermore be employed in the curing reaction in particular when using polyamides, dicyandiamide, polymeric polysulphides or polycarboxylic acid anhydrides as curing agents; such accelerators are, for example, tertiary amines, their salts or quaternary ammonium compounds, for example 2,4,6-tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol, benzyldimethylarnine, 2ethyl-4-methyl-imidazole, triamylammonium phenolate; or alkali metal alcoholates, such as, for example, sodium hexanetriolate.

A further subject of the invention are curable mixtures which contain a diglycidyl compound of the formula I according to the invention, optionally together with other polyepoxide compounds and also curing agents for epoxide resins, such as polyamines or polycarboxylic acid anhydrides.

The diglycidyl compounds according to the invention or their mixtures with other polyepoxide compounds and/or curing agents can be mixed, before curing, with customary modifiers, such as extenders, fillers and reinforcing agents, pigments, dyestuffs, plasticisers, flow control agents, agents for conferring thixotropy, flameretarding substances and mould release agents.

As extenders, reinforcing agents, fillers and pigments which can be employed in the curable mixtures according to the invention there may, for example, be mentioned: coal tar, bitumen, glass fibres, boron fibres, carbon fibres, cellulose, polyethylene powder, polypropylene powder, mica, asbestos, quartz powder, slate powder, aluminum oxide trihydrate, chalk powder, gypsum, antimony trioxide, bentones, silica aerogel (AEROSIL), lithopone, baryte, titanium dioxide, carbon black, graphite, iron oxide or metal powders, such as aluminum powder or iron powder.

Suitable organic solvents for modifying the curable mixtures are, for example, toluene, xylene, n-propanol, butyl acetate, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, diacetonealcohol and ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, monoethyl ether and monobutyl ether.

Particularly for use in the lacquer field, the new diglycidyl compounds can furthermore be partially or completely esterified in a known manner with carboxylic acids such as in particular higher unsaturated fatty acids. It is furthermore possible to add other curable synthetic resins, for example phenoplasts or aminoplasts, to such lacquer resin formulations.

The curable resins can be used, in the unfilled or filled state, optionally in the form of solutions or emulsions, as laminating resins, paints, lacquers, dipping resins, impregnating resins, casting resins, compression moulding compositions, sintering powders, spreading and filling compositions, floor covering compositions, potting and insulating compositions for the electrical industry and adhesives, and for the manufacture of such products. I

Curable mouldings of this resin combine good mechanical properties with good heat stability and good electrical properties.

7 Example A: I

1,3-bis-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-benzimidazolone A solution of 269.4 g of ethene oxide (6.12 mols) in 300 g of dimethylformamide is added dropwise over the course of 1 10 minutes to a solutionof 402 g of benzimidazolone (3.0 mols) and 3 g of lithium chloride in 1,200 g of dimethylformamide at a temperature of to 148C (bath temperature to 150C). After a further 40 minutes reaction time at 140C to 145C, the reaction is complete. The reaction mixture is concentrated to dryness on a rotary evaporator at 20 mm Hg and the resulting residue is after-dried at 90C under 20 mm Hg. 645 g of a yellow powder (96.8%of theory) having a melting point of 145 to 158C are obtained.

The crude product can be purified by recrystallisation from water in the ratio of 1:2; the pure substance is obtained in 76.9% yield. The produce melts at 161 .2 to 163.4C.

Elementary analysis:

found: 59.56%,C; 6.42%,H; 12.59%,N.

calculated: 59.45%,c; 6.35%,1-1; 12.60%,N.

The proton-magnetic resonance spectrum (H-NMR) is consistent with the following structure:

H0 CH 2 CH N\ /N CH CH O1 Example B: 1 ,3-bis-(2'-hydroxy-n-propyl)-benzimidazolone 61.0 g of propene oxide are added dropwise over the course of 135 minutes to a solution of 67.0 g of benzimidazolone (0.5 mol) and 1.0 g of lithium chloride in 150 m1 of dimethylformamide at a temperature of 130140C (bath temperature 150-162C). After 35 minutes, 10 g of active charcoal are added to the reaction product and after a further 13 minutes the mixture is filtered hot. The clear brown filtrate is concentrated on a rotary evaporator at 90C under a water pump vacuum and is subsequently dried to constant weight at 90C and 10 mm Hg.

124.7 g of a grey-brown crystalline crude product (99.6% of theory) are obtained and are purified by recrystallisation from water; the melting point of the product is 149 to 152C.

Elementary analysis:

found: 62.20%,C; 7.07%,H; 11.26%,N. calculated: 62.38%,C; 7.25%,H; 11.19%,N.

7 The H-NMR spectrum agrees with the following structure:

C CH

' Example C: 1,3-bis-(2 -hydroxy-2'-phenyl-ethyl)-benzimidazolone 335 g of benzimidazolone (2.5 mols) and 601 g of styrene oxide (5.0 mols) are dissolved in 1,000 ml of dimethylformamide and reacted in the presence of 5 g of lithium chloride at 120C to 163C (bath temperature 140C), the reaction mixture reacting exothermically. The reaction is complete after 2 hours and 44 minutes and the reaction product is concentrated on a rotary evaporator at 120C/20 mm Hg. It is then dried to constant weight at 10 mm Hg. 921.8 g of a pale brown product (98.5% of theory) are obtained. The H-NMR spectrum substantially agrees with the following structure:

N-CH -CH0H Example D: 1,3-bis-( 2 -hydroxyethyl)-tetrahydrobenzimidazolone A mixture of 69.1 g of tetrahydrobenzimidazolidone (0.5 mol), 46.3 g of ethylene oxide (1.05 mols), 0.5 g of lithium chloride and 250 ml of dimethylformamide is allowed toreact in an autoclave for 5 hours at 121C to 128C. The clear, brown reaction product is concentrated on a rotary evaporator at 100C under a water pump vacuum and is subsequently dried to constant weight. at 100C and 10 mm Hg. 123 g of a brown, crystalline crude product (99.9% of theory) are obtained and purified by recrystallisation from isopropa- H nol. Melting point of the pure product: 152.4-l55.4C.

HO ---CH CH N 8 Elementary analysis:

found: 58.35%,C; 8.10%,H; 12.22%,N. calculated: 58.39%,C; 8.02%,H; 12.'38%,N. The H-NMR spectrum is consistent with the following structure:

Example E: l,3-bis-( 2'-hydroxy-n-propyl )-tetrahydrobenzimidazolone 11 C -CH 3 HO-dH-CH N N-Cl-l -(!H- OH Example F: 1,3-bis-(2-hydroxy-2'-phenyl-ethyl)-tetrahydrobenzimidazolone A mixture of 27.6 g of tetrahydrobenzimidazolone (0.2 mol), 48.1 g of styrene oxide (0.4 mol), 0.3 g of lithium chloride and ml of dimethylformamide is allowed to react for 4% hours at 135C to 156C internal temperature (external temperature 166C). The turbid solution is filtered and the clear filtrate is concentrated on arotary evaporator at C under a water pump vacuum. Thereafter it is dried to constant weight at 130C and 10' mm Hg. 71.4 g of a brown, solid product (94.3% of theory) are obtained, of which the H-NMR spectrum substantially agrees with the following structure:

no-cn-cn -N xi ca cn-oa 2 Example G:. I 1 ,3-bis-( 2 -hydroxyethyl )-hexahydrobeniimidazolone 45.2 g of l,3 bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-tetrahydrobenzimidazolidone (0.2 mol), prepared according to Example D, are dissolved in 200 ml of absolute ethyl alcohol and hydrogenated in the presence of 5 g of Raney nickel for 12 hours at 120C and 140 atmospheres pressure (ats gauge). The reaction mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated on a rotary evaporator at 90C under a water pump vacuum. It is dried to constant weight at 90C and mm Hg and 43.9 g of a grey-greenish viscous turbid product (96.3% of theory) are obtained, which can be purified by vacuum distillation (boiling point 0.6 213-216C). Yield of pure product: 89.6% of theory.

Elementary analysis:

found: 57.95%,C; 9.07%,1-1; 12.03%,N.

calculated: 57.87%,C; 8.83%,1-1; l2.27%,N.

The H-NMR spectrum agrees with the following structural formula:

HO CH CH N.\ /N CH CH 011 and. 100 ml of water are added. The reaction is com the substance which has crystallised out is subsequentl isolated by filtration. It is dried at 60C/2O mm Hg am 667 g of a crystalline, brownish compound (84.1% o theory) of melting point l53-l55Careobtained. Fur ther quantities of the desired product can be isolatei from the mother liquor. Elementary analysis:

found: 54.57%,C; 7.15%,H;,14.28%,N.

calculated: 54.53%,Cj 7.12%,1-1; 14.13%,N. The new diol accordingly corresponds to the follow ing formula: 3 Y

Example I: l,3-bis (hydroxymethyl)-benzimidazolone 40 g of benzimidazolone (0.3 mol), 0.5 g of bora: and 63 g of 30% strength aqueous formaldehyde (0.61 mol) are adjusted to pH 8 with 1 N NaOH and warmet slowly. After 7 minutes, 16 minutes, 44 minutes and 5 minutes, 10 ml of water are added in each case and tllt internal temperature is raised to 90C over the COUISt .of 44 minutes. The reaction is allowed to continue to a further 15 minutes at this temperature, whereby a dark brown clear solution is produced. The mixture i then cooled and the product which has crystallised on is filtered off and washed with water. The crystalline product is dried at C/20 mm Hg and 56.4 g o brownish crystals (96.7% of theory) of melting poin' 1 57.4-l6lC are obtained. Elementary analysis:

found: 55.6%,C; 5.0%,1-1; 14.4%,N.

calculated: 55.66%,C; 5.19%,1-1; 14.43%,N.

The H-NMR spectrum agress with the followin structure:

HO-CH -N N-CH -OH Example J: l ,3-bis-( 2 -hydroxy-n-propyl)-5 -methyl-benzimidazolone 59.3 g of propylene oxide (1.02 mols) are adder dropwise at a temperature of 132C to 142C to a solu tion of 74.5 g of S-methyl-benzimidazolone (0.5 mol and l g of lithium chloride in 150 ml of dimethylform amide. The reaction is complete after a further hour and the reaction mixture is concentrated on a rotary evaporator at C under a water pump vacuum. Ths product is then dried to constant weight at 90C ant 10 mm Hg. 126.8 g of a brownish, crystalline powde: (96% of theory) are obtained. A double recrystallisa tion from water gives colourless crystals of melting point l24.4126C, with the following analytical data: Elementary analysis:

found: 63.57%,C; 7.72%,11; 10.66%,N.

calculated: 63.61%,C; 7.63%,H; 10.60%,N.'

The H-NMR spectrum agrees with the following structure:

1,3-bis-(2'-glycidyloxyethyl )-benzimidazolone A mixture of 666.6 g of the l,3-bis-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-benzimidazolone (3.0 mols) prepared according to Example A, 5,550 g of epichlorohydrin (60 mols) and 8.0 g of tetramethylammonium chloride is stirred for minutes at 90C.

The mixture is cooled to 60C and 576 g of 50% strength aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (7.2 mols) are added dropwise over the course of 3 hours with good stirring and under a slight water pump vacuum. The water present in the reaction mixture is then removed continuously by azeotropic circulatory distilla tion. After the dropwise addition, the mixture is distilled for a further minutes and then cooled to room temperature, the sodium chloride which has precipitated is filtered off and the epichlorohydrin solution is extracted by shaking with 200 ml of water. After separating off the water phase, the epichlorhydrin solution is concentrated in a water pump vacuum at 80C. The product is then dried to constant weight at 100C and 10 mm Hg.

1,002 g (99.9% of theory) of a brownish viscous resin with an epoxide content of 5.78 epoxide equivalents/kg (96.7% of theory) are obtained. The total chlorine content of the crude product is 0.6%. The resulting epoxide resin corresponds, according to analytical data, to

the following formula:

. Example 2: l,3-bis-( 2-glycidyloxypropyl)-benzimidazolone 125.2. g of the 1,3-bis-(2-hydroxypropyl)-benzimidazolone (0.5 mol) prepared according to Example B, 925 g of epichlorohydrin (10 mols) and 1.5 g of tetramethylammonium chloride are stirred for 1.5 hours at 90C. The mixture is then cooled to C and, analogously to Example 1, 100 g of 50% strength aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (1.25 mols) are added dropwise over the course of 3 hours and the water of reaction is continuously removed by azeotropic circulatory distillation. To complete the reaction, distillation is allowed to proceed for a further 30 minutes, the mixture is then cooled to room temperature, the sodium chloride produced is filtered off and the epichlorohydrin solution is washed with 100 ml of water. The water phase is separated off, the epichlorohydrin solution is concentrated in a water pump vacuum at C, and the product is then dried to constant weight at 80C and 10 mm Hg. 177.7 g (98.1% of theory) of a reddishbrown, clear, viscous resin are obtained, of which the epoxide content is 4.90 epoxide equivalents/kg (88.8% of theory).

According to analytical data, the epoxide resin obtained corresponds to the following formula:

Example 3: l ,3-bis-( 2 -glycidyloxy-2 '-phenyl-ethyl)-benzimidazolone A solution of 299.6 g of the l,3-bis-(2'-hydroxy-2- phenyl-ethyl)-benzimidazolone (0.8 mol) prepared according to Example C, 1,480 g of epichlorohydrin (16.0 mols) and 4 g of tetramethylammonium chloride is stirred for 30 minutes at C Analogously to Example 1, 153.6 g of 50% strength aqueous sodium hydroxide solution are added dropwise at 60C over the course of 2 hours and 40 minutes and the distillation is subsequently allowed to continue for a further 45 minutes. The mixture is worked up according to Example 1, and 388.7 g (99.9% of theory) of a brownish, highly viscous resin having an epoxide content of 3.52 epoxide equivalents/kg (85.6% of theory) are obtained. The chlorine content is 0.9%.

According to analytical data, the epoxide resin obtained corresponds to the following formula:

Example 4: 1,3-bis-(2-glycidyloxy-ethyl)-tetrahydrobenzimidazolone A mixture of 226.2 g of the l,3-bis-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-tetrahydrobenzimidazolone (1.0 mol) prepared according to Example D, 1,850 g of epichlorohydrin mols) and 1.5 g of tetramethylammonium chloride is stirred for 1 hour and 10 minutes at 90C. It is then cooled to 60C and, analogously to Example 1, 176 g of 50% strength aqueous sodium hydroxide solution are added dropwise over the course of 2.5 hours with good stirring and whilst separating off the water. The mixture is worked up according to Example 1 and 317 g of a brownish, clear, viscous resin (93.7% of theory) are obtained, of which the epoxide content is 5.72 epoxide equivalents/kg (96.8% of theory).

According to analytical data, the epoxide resin obtained corresponds to the following formula:

CH\ CH-Cll -O-CH CH -1 \:/N-CH CH -0- CH -C&-/CH o Example 5: l,3-bis-(2'-glycidyloxy-n-propyl)-tetrahydrobenzimidazolone 476.8 g of the 1,3-bis-(2'-hydroxypropyl)-tetrahydrobenzimidazolone (1.875 mols) prepared according to Example E, 3,470 g of epichlorohydrin (37.5 mols) and 3 g of tetramethylammonium chloride are stirred for 1 hour at 90C. The mixture is then cooled to C and 360 g of 50% strength aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (4.5 mols) are added over the course of 125 minutes, whilst separating off the water, analogously to Example 1. The mixture is then worked up according to Example 1 and 643 g ofa clear, viscous resin (93.6% of theory) of epoxide content 4.89 epoxide equivalents per kg (89.6% of theory) are obtained.

14 According to analytical data, the epoxide resin corresponds to the following formula:

A mixture of 37.8 g of the l,3-bis-(2-hydroxy-2'- phenyl-ethyl)-tetrahydrobenzimidazolone (0.1 mol) prepared according to Example F, 185 g of epichlorohydrin (2.0 mols) and 0.15 g of tetramethylammonium chloride is stirred for 1 hour at C. Analogously to Example 1, 19.2 g of 50% strength aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (0.24 mol) are added dropwise over the course of 104 minutes at 60C, and the water of reaction is continuously removed by azeotropic circulatory distillation. The mixture is worked up according to Example 1 and 48.4 g of a red-brown, highly viscous resin (98.3% of theory) having an epoxide content of 3.19 epoxide equivalents per kg are obtained.

According to analytical data, the epoxide resin obtained corresponds to the following formula:

Example 7: 1 ,3-bis-( 2 '-glycidyloxyethyl)-hexahydrobenzimidazolone 45.2 g of 1,3-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-hexahydrobenzimidazolone (0.2 mol) prepared according to Example G, 390 g of epichlorohydrin (4.0 mols) and 0.4 g of tetramethylammonium chloride are stirred for 1 hour at 90C. The mixture is cooled to 60C and 38.4 g of 50% strength aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (0.48 mol) are added dropwise over the course of 2 hours with continuous elimination of water from the system, h'ydrin (5.0 mols) and 1 g of tetramethylammonium and good stirring. Working up takes place according to chloride are stirred at 90C. The mixture is then cooled Example 1. 58.9 g of a brownish, viscous resin (86.5% to 60C and 50 g of 50% strength aqueous sodium hyof theory) are obtained; the epoxide content is 4.95 epdroxide solution (0.625 mol) are added dropwise over oxide equivalents/kg (84.2% of theory). 5 the course of 2 hours and 50 minutes under azeotropic According to analytical data, the epoxide resin obcirculatory distillation and whilst separating off the watained corresponds to the following formula: ter. The mixture is worked up according to Example 1 and an ochre-coloured viscous resin with 4.4 epoxide equivalents/kg (82.9% of theory) is obtained in 90.3%

yield 85 g). The analytical data of the epoxide resin agree with the following formula:

011 411-011 -o c11 -c11 -N N-CH -cn -og CH CH 3 CH Example 8: l,3-bis-(glycidyloxymethyl)-benzimidazolone -Cl'l-CH 194.2 g of the l,3-bis-(hydroxymethyl)-benzimidazolone (1 mol) prepared according to Example 1, 1,950 g of epichlorohydrin (2O mols) and 3.0 g of tetramethylammonium chloride are stirred for 40 minutes at 90C. The mixture is then cooled to 60C and 176 g of 50% strength aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (2.2 mols) are added with good stirring and whilst removing water, in accordance with the process described in Example 1, USE EXAMPLES and working up also takes place in accordance with Ex- Example 1 ample A clear homogeneous mixture is prepared at 40C 260 g gz l T Z T 40 from 100 parts of the 1,3-bis-(2'-glycidyloxyethyl)- 2g; :1: i zg e equwa ems/ g a O t benzimidazolone prepared according to Example 1 and 34.2 parts of 3,3'-dimethyl-4,4-diamino dicyc1ohex- The anaiyucal data of the epoxide resm agree with ylmethane, which is available under the tradename the followmg formula: Laromin C 260. This mixture is poured into an aluminum mould prewarmed to 40C and cured in 20 hours at 40C and 6 hours at 100C. The moulding thus obtained displays the following mechanical properties:

/ Flexural strength (VSM 77,103): 16.3 17.8 kp/mm Deflection (VSM 77.103); 11.1-15.0 mm lmpactstrength (YSM 77,105): 12.8 16.5 kp.cm/cm 011 -CH-C1-1 -O-CH -11 N-CH -0-c11 -CH-CH 11:5 f;, *;f' WC O/ 2 2 \C/ 2 2 2 Water ;bsorption (4 days; 20C) 1.41%

Example 11 A homogeneous mixture of 100 parts of l,3-bis-(2- glycidyloxym-propyl)-benzimidazolone prepared according to Example 2 and 71.6 parts of hexahydrophthalic anhydride is poured into aluminum moulds prewarmed to C and cured in 2 hours at 90C, 2 E l 9; hours at C and 16 hours at C. A bubble-free 1 3 bi (2'.. id -o [)-5 methy] b moulding having the following mechanical properties is zimidazolone 65 obtained:

Analogously to Example 1, 66.1 g of l,3-bis-(2-- Flexural strength (VSM 77.103): 13.9 15.3 lcp/mm hydroxypropyl)-5-methyl-benzimidazolone (0.25 mol) Deflection (VSM 77.103): 95 98 mm prepared according to Example J, 463 g of epichloroimpact strength (VSM 77.105): 9.0 9.8 kpcm/cm -continued Heat distortion point according to Martens (DlN 53,458) Water absorption (4 days; 20C) Example 111 Tracking resistance (VDE 0303) Arcing resistance (DIN 53,484)

Example IV Flexural strength (VSM 77,103): Deflection (VSM 77,103): Impact strength (VSM 77,105): Heat distortion point according to Martens (DIN 53,458):

Water absorption (4 days: 20C) 13.4 14.9 kp/mm 6.4 9.5 mm

8.5 18.8 kp.cm/cm We claim: 1. A diglycidyl ether of the formula 18 g 5 HHPO T T E wherein X denotes a divalent radical of the formula Q'QWQ which is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen or lower alkyl, R and R, each denote hydrogen or methyl, R and R each denote hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or phenyl or R and R or R and R together represent trimethylene or tetramethylene.

2. A compound as claimed in claim I, which is 1,3- bis-(2'-glycidyloxyethyl)-benzimidazolone.

3. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which is 1,3- bis-(2-glycidyloxy-n-propy1)-benzimidazolone.

4. A compound as claimedin claim 1, which is 1,3- bis-(2-glycidyloxy-2-phenylethyl)-benzimidazolone 5. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which is 1,3- bis-(2'-glycidyloxy-n-propyl)-5-methyl-benzimidazolone.

6. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which is 1,3- bis-(2'-glycidyloxyethyl)-tetrahydrobenzimidazolone.

7. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which is 1,3- bis-(2-glycidyloxy-n-propyl)-tetrahydrobenzimidazolone.

8. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which is 1,3- bis-(2'-glycidyloxy-2'-phenylethyl)-tetrahydrobenzimidazolone.

9. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which is 1,3- bis-(2'-glycidyloxyethyl)-hexahydrobenzimidazolone. 

1. A DIGLYCIDYL ETHER OF THE FORMULA
 2. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which is 1,3-bis-(2''-glycidyloxyethyl)-benzimidazolone.
 3. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which is 1,3-bis-(2''-glycidyloxy-n-propyl)-benzimidazolone.
 4. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which is 1,3-bis-(2''-glycidyloxy-2''-phenylethyl)-benzimidazolone
 5. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which is 1,3-bis-(2''-glycidyloxy-n-propyl)-5-methyl-benzimidazolone.
 6. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which is 1,3-bis-(2''-glycidyloxyethyl)-tetrahydrobenzimidazolone.
 7. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which is 1,3-bis-(2''-glycidyloxy-n-propyl)-tetrahydrobenzimidazolone.
 8. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which is 1,3-bis-(2''-glycidyloxy-2''-phenylethyl)-tetrahydrobenzimidazolone.
 9. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which is 1,3-bis-(2''-glycidyloxyethyl)-hexahydrobenzimidazolone. 